City of Cetinje, Montenegro: description, history, sights and reviews

After receiving international independence by Montenegro in 1878, ambassadors hastened to this city to establish diplomatic relations with the pearl of the Adriatic coast. It so happened that this state, which has two capitals, and tourists who first came to a young country, are wondering about its main center.

The capital of Montenegro: Cetinje or Podgorica?

The main city of the modern state is Podgorica, which in the last century became the official capital of Montenegro. It is here that important government institutions, government and parliament are located. However, since ancient times the historical capital of Cetinje is considered the cultural and spiritual center of the country.

In a small settlement settled the residence of the president and the metropolitan. According to local residents, to visit the most beautiful country, reverent for its cultural origins, and not see the city-museum, which will be discussed in this article, is a real tourist crime.

History of the glorious city

The appearance of Cetinje (Montenegro) is associated with Ivan Chernovich, a bold ruler oppressed by the Turks. In 1482, the valiant prince with his subjects took shelter at the foot of the Eagle Mountain, where he founded a monastery that became a symbol of the independence of the state, and near him appeared Cetinje, which became the cradle of Serbian Orthodoxy. Residents of the city heroically fought against the Turks, who destroyed the local monastery. However, in 1701 it was rebuilt anew, and it was in this form that a religious landmark reached the descendants.

In the history of the city there were periods of decline, it was plundered by Turks and Venetians, and the palace of the rulers of the Chernoevich dynasty was destroyed. The heyday of Cetinje (Montenegro) is associated with the name of King Nikola Negosh, who ordered the erection of luxurious palaces and administrative buildings. After the declaration of the independence of the state, Cetinje becomes its full-fledged capital, and during this period a large-scale construction of the royal residence and foreign embassies begins, in which museums are now located. In 1910, the Government House appeared - a symbol of state power, and at that time it was the smallest capital with a population not exceeding five thousand people.

After the First and Second World Wars, the capital functions of Cetinje disappear, but it is still considered the main spiritual center of Montenegro. Now here live 15 thousand inhabitants.

Tourist center of the country

The government is doing everything to develop the tourist infrastructure, because for a long time this direction was neglected by foreign guests, and the city developed exclusively as an industrial center. However, with the collapse of the socialist economy, all the factories were closed. The modern city offers its guests to get acquainted with a lot of historical attractions and amazing nature, the beauty of which will not pass a single photo.

Weather and climate of the cultural capital

The charming Cetinje (Montenegro) is located to the east of the towering Lovcen mountain range above the city, on the slopes of which green groves are glistening, which makes the panorama of the cultural center of the country simply amazing.

The city, which does not leave anyone indifferent, has a temperate-continental climate comfortable for tourists, characterized by warm and dry summers and not very cold, but humid winters. Autumn is replete with frequent precipitation, and the most comfortable time to visit the heart of Montenegro is from July to September, when the heat subsides and the rains are not yet there.

The Palace of King Nikola

A small settlement, consisting of several blocks, has a rich history, although by the standards of other cities of the state it is still quite young. A great interest in the guests is caused by cultural and historical monuments, created several centuries ago.

The Royal Palace is one of the main attractions that the ancient capital of Montenegro can boast of. Cetinje is proud of the cultural and historical monument bearing the name "Finger" in the common people. He was raised from 1863 to 1867. The palace of the king struck the inhabitants with its luxury and even provoked the gossip of the European nobility, discussing wealth. The building in the Art Nouveau style abounds with decorative details and original forms, and each of its halls is made in an individual style.

King Nikola's Palace is an old building that has undergone several reconstructions, however the interiors and antique furniture are the same and will delight even many tourists who have seen their wealth. Now there is a state museum here, unique collections of which will tell about the history and culture of Montenegro from the Middle Ages.

Cetinje Monastery

In the small town of Cetinje (Montenegro), in which it is impossible to get lost, Orthodox believers come from all over the world to see the Christian relics stored in the temples. Of course, his main treasure is the very monastery, erected by the Grand Duke Ivan Chernovich. There was a printing yard in it, and the first book that appeared in the Balkans was written in Cyrillic. Now this rarity can be seen in the local museum.

For more than 500 years, the main residence of Montenegrin metropolitans located in the historical part of the city is an ancient monastery. Cetinje in Montenegro is not in vain called the spiritual center of the state, because this religious monument is considered the heart and symbol of the Orthodox country. Here are relics that cause special trepidation among Christians - part of the cross from Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and the hand of St. John the Baptist.

Religious complex

Once the monastery looked like a defensive structure with loopholes, along the perimeter of which were dug protective ditches. And now it is a cozy place with a lot of Orthodox buildings. True, to visit him, you need to close your head, shoulders and legs, and before entering the monastery ministers give additional instructions on how to behave inside it. People come here desperate people and on their knees beg for what they can not live without.

Above the main attraction of the city, on top of the mountain, is the mausoleum of Bishop Daniel in the form of a small chapel. At the monastery a curious museum was opened, storing the attire of metropolitans, the oldest printed and hand-written books.

And in the heart of the religious complex is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, which is also called Vlaska.

Vlah Church

The historical monument appeared in 1450 and is considered the most ancient construction of Cetinje (Montenegro). It's about the church that the shepherds built. Initially it was a primitive hut of branches smeared with earth. Later, the temple was significantly strengthened, and the building, which appears before the eyes of tourists, acquired the final version in 1864. When they built the fence of the church, they used weapons thrown by the Turks. It is known that more than 1,500 trophy trunks have been immured there.

In the restored temple of particular interest are unique Greek frescoes, perfectly preserved to our times. Near the holy place is a cemetery, where many famous people of the state found rest. In 1939, opposite the church, the sculpture "Soul Lovcena" was erected, symbolizing the inhabitants of Montenegro, who tried to emigrate to America during the First World War, but drowned in the sea off the coast of Albania.

Reviews of tourists

Quiet Cetinje (Montenegro), whose sights reflect its rich past, have been an important tourist center of the state for several decades already, because there is everything for a relaxed holiday. Many attractions attract visitors who confess their love for the hospitable city.

Tourists celebrate the special atmosphere of the second capital of Montenegro. Here there is silence and peace, and Cetinje is immersed in a sleepy kingdom, which is very much for those who want to relax from the noise of megacities.

Satisfied with resort fun, young people consider the city quite boring, but in this pacification, spilling over the cultural center, is its main feature. They do not come here for entertainment and shopping, this is a wonderful place where you can relax your soul, touch history and enjoy exploring the vast number of historical monuments.

The amazing Cetinje (Montenegro), whose attractions carry over in past eras, is a city that is obligatory to visit, because it will allow to penetrate to the full extent its magic charms, and no tourist will refuse a new trip to a quiet fairy tale.